Fire at Nowshera hospital’s basement causes panic

NOWSHERA: A fire broke out in the basement of the Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex Hospital in Nowshera on Wednesday, causing panic in the facility.

Patients from nearby wards in the emergency area were immediately evacuated and shifted to other hospitals.

According to Rescue 1122 In-charge, Ashfaq Khan, the fire started due to a short circuit in the telephone exchange located in the basement. The Rescue 1122 teams promptly reached the scene and launched a firefighting operation using five fire brigade vehicles. The fire was brought under control after three hours of continuous efforts.

The hospital administration stated that the patients from the nearby wards were quickly evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Patients with minor conditions were shifted to various district hospitals, while critical patients were moved to Mardan Medical Complex.

The Rescue 1122 service officials reported that 12 ambulances were involved in the evacuation process.

At the time of the fire, a large number of patients were temporarily accommodated on the open ground outside the hospital. The hospital spokesperson, Kasteer Gul assured that the affected patients would soon be shifted back to their respective wards.

The Rescue 1122 officials confirmed that no casualties or injuries were reported in the incident.

The hospital administration initiated an investigation to assess the financial losses caused by the fire.